Calk gun



March 4-, 1941. s. CREWE 2,233,587

CALK GUN Filed April 5, 1940 INVENTOR. 4MUL GPA-WE ATTORNEY.

fie. 7

Patented Mar. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 17 Claims.

This invention relates to calk guns and particularly to the ratchet mechanisms in them which operate the piston, and is another form of the device shown in the Patent No. 2,180,978 which was granted to me on November 21, 1939.

The primary objects of the instant invention are substantially the same as those set forth in the aforesaid earlier patent;' but in addition thereto, this invention provides a mechanism which has an automatic ratchet release which goes into operation when the manually operated parts are abnormally closed or squeezed rather than when abnormally opened or released. Some operators prefer this reverse operation because for certain types of work ,this improved modified device has a tendency to prevent or forestall fatigue.

Another object of this invention is to provide for the use of a round, rotatable ratchet-bar,

the teeth of which may be entirely disassociated from the driving mechanism regardless of the relative positions of the operating lever and handle members.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following description and claims together with the accompanying drawing in which like parts are designated by like reference characters and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a calking gun, parts of which are broken away to show details of construction and which indicates the normal position of the ratchet mechanism parts;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ratchet mechanism taken along the lines and in the direction of the arrows 2--2 of the Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view, of thesame mechanism taken along the lines and in the di- 7 showing position of the parts when the ratchet is automatically disengaged from the pawl and dog members;

the Figure 3 but showing the round ratchet-bar turned half way around thus isolating the teeth thereon from the pawl and dog elements; and

Figure 7 is a side view of a modified form of the invention showing the automatic dog op- Figure 6 is a sectional view similar to that of erating' arm connected to the pawl member instead of directly onto the operating lever.

Broadly this invention consists of a barrel It, a nozzle II on the forward end of the barrel and the ratchet mechanism on the rear end of the barrel. Both the barrel and the nozzle have been specifically described in my prior patent heretofore referred to.

The ratchet mechanism as shown which forms one of many embodiments of the invention, consists of a handle member 20, an operating lever 30, a serrated ratchet-bar 40 and pawl and dog members 50 and Bi] respectively. Each of these members will be described in detail and in the order just mentioned.

The handle member 20 is made of sheet metal, formed hollow and with side walls 2| and 22, a top portion 23 and a rear wall 24. The lower portion of the side walls 2| and 22 and rear wall 24 are shaped to serve as a suitable grip element 25. The forward end of the handle member 20 has attached thereto a cup 26 which has a conventional means for engaging the barrel ID.

The upper portion of the rear wall 24 is provided with a round hole 21 which is aligned with the axis of the barrel Ill and through which the ratchet-bar 4!] may move freely. The center of the cup 26 is simultaneously provided with a hole 28 which permits the free passage of the ratchetbar 40 into and out of the barrel H). A small concave roller bearing 29 is mounted between the walls 2| and. 22 to facilitate the movement of the ratchet-bar 40 through the handle chamber and which prevents uneven wear and strain on the piston element I2 and the portion of the handle member adjacent the holes 21 and 28. This handle ,member is made smooth with rounded wall corners and without sharp edges or unnecessary projections extending therefrom.

The operating lever 30 is also made of sheet metal and is substantially U-shaped in cross section. It is pivoted to the handle member by the primary pivot pin 3|. The lower arm of the lever, the portion below the pin 3|, is shaped to form a reciprocating grip element 32 and which opens or closes with respect to the grip element 25. A simple expansion spring is supported between the two grip elements 25 and 32 so as to separate them as far as possible. Thisseparated position, as shown in the Figure 1, is the normal position of the grip elements.

The upper portion 33 of the operating lever is provided with. a pawl member 50 hereinafter described in detail. The upper arm 33 is also provided with a small expansion spring 35 which serves to normally retain the pawl member in engagement with or in ready contact with the ratchet-bar 40. The top of the arm 33 is always below the ratchet-bar 4|! and in no way does it interfere with its free movement.

The ratchet-bar 45 is simply a length of round rod threaded on one end to engage the piston element l2 and drilled laterally at its opposite end to receive the simple cross-bar 4| which serves as a grip to facilitate convenient manipulation or rotation of the bar. A straight line of evenly spaced and regularly shaped teeth 42 are formed on the bar between the piston element l2 and the cross-bar 4|. These serrations or teeth 42 face downward and are normally in engagement with the pawl and dog members and 55 respectively.

Each tooth on the ratchet-bar has an inclined side and a perpendicular side and the device is assembled so that the inclined side faces forward and the perpendicular sidefaces rearward. This assembly allows the ratchet-bar to readily move forward and past the pawl and dog members but not rearwardly thereof unless the pawl and dog members are disengaged or isolated therefrom.

The pawl member 50 is a piece of metal or other suitable material shaped as shown in the drawmg.

34 which engages the operating lever. The upper and forward corner of this element 5|] is acutely pointed to form a detent 52 for the specific engagement of the teeth 42 of the ratchet-bar.

Integral with the pawl element 50 and depending below the detent at a slight angle, there is a trip finger 53 which is also referred to herein as a trigger. The bottom surface of the pawl member 55, the portion between the trigger 53 and the rear end 5|, is in constant engagement with the small expansion spring 35 which is carried'by the operating lever.

A small pin 54 is mounted on the Walls 2 I and 22 of the handle member, which pin extends laterally through the hollow chamber and. is in aposition which will bar the continued movement of the trigger 53 when the grip elements 25 and 32 are squeezed closer together than is normally necessary to cause the pawl member 50 to advance the ratchet-bar a predetermined definite distance.

The dog member is made of a material similar to that of the pawl member 5|] and is shaped substantially as shown in the drawing. Its lower and rearward end is pivoted laterally to the handle member 20 by means of the pin 6|. Its upper and forward end is pointed to formadetent which is herein referred to as the pick 62 and which engages the teeth 42 of the ratchet-bar. A small expansionspring 51 is mounted in a conventional manner on the pin 6| so as to keep the pick 62 in normal and constant engagement with the ratchet-bar 45.

A second pin 53 which has a somewhat flattened and wider head 64 is attached to the dog member 55 above the pivot pin El and approximately in longitudinal alignment with the secondary pivot pin 34 of the operating lever.

A simple flat arm 65, made of a piece of stiff metal extending practically parallel with the ratchet-bar 4|], connects either the dog and operating lever or the dog and pawl members and coordinates their respective movements so that the dog and pawl members may be simultaneously disengaged from the ratchet-bar.

The forward end of the arm .65 has a longitu-.

dinal slot 65 throu h which the pin 63 may freely slide. The head of this pin retains the armin.

Its rear end 5| has the secondary pivot pin position at all times and prevents the pin from becoming disengaged from the slot. The rear end of the automatic release arm 65 has a small hole which accommodates either the secondary pivot pin 34 or the pin 55 which is attached to the pawl member just below the detent 52. The preferred form of linkage is shown in the Figures 1 to 6 while the modified assembly is shown in the Figure 7.

For normal operation, that is when it is desired. to project the piston and the ratchet-bar forward, the arm 65 has no effect on the dog element. The pawl and dog elements are then interdependent and react or function in the conventional manner. The Patent No. 2,115,591 to Sherbondy for. a Gun for discharging plastic compositions which was granted April 26, 1933 shows an assembly of a conventional dog and pawl which are not coupled to form an automatic release.

It is only when the operator desires to release the compression of the plastic material in the barrel that the grip elements 25 and 32 are brought together closer than otherwise.v During normal operation the operating lever 35 moves between the positions indicated in full lines of the Figure 1 and the alternate position indicated in broken lines and by the character 3ilaof the same figure. When the automatic release is in operation, the operating lever takes the alternate position indicated by the broken lines and the character 305 which position is like that shown more clearly in Figure 5.

When the lever is moved rearward of the position 30a, the trigger 53 is stopped by the trip pin 54. The upper part of the operating lever 3|] and the pawl 5|], however, continue to move forward but the detent 52 is deflected downward andis taken out of engagement with the ratchet-bar teeth 42'. In either of the forms shown the automatic. release arm 65 continues to move forward with the forward movement of the arm 33'and when the pin 63 reaches the rear end of the slot 66, the pick 52 is similarly disengaged fromthe ratchet-bar. 54 or by properly sizing the slot 66, the pawl and dog members may be made to engage or disengage the ratchet-bar simultaneously and very smoothly.

In order to refill the barrel H) with material, it becomes necessary to draw the ratchet-bar to the rear as far as possible which is its normal initial position. This may be done by either disengaging the ratchet-bar from the driving mechanism by bringing the automatic release into operation and then drawingthe bar back, or it may be accomplished by disassociating the operating parts by simply turning the rod 180 by means of the grip element 4| and drawing it back. The latter method may, in some instances, be preferred because it also acts as a safety lock and prevents accidental or unwarranted ejection of material regardless of the relative movements of the grip elements 2.5 and 32.

It should be noted however that this ratchet mechanism. unlike similar mechanisms of the prior art, does not permit the movement of the ratchet-rod by any other means than by the operation of the grip elements when the teeth 42 are pointed downwardly and in their normal positions; In. other devices the ratchet-rod may be movedforward by simply pushing on the grip element 4| when the pawl and dog are in normal position. The particular design of the; pawl memberv of. this invention. does not permit such forward; movement except when the operating By properly positioning the trip pinlever is taken out of its normal position. Attempting to so move the ratchet-bar without simultaneously moving the operating lever, will tend to drive the detent 52 downward; but as the detent goes down, the trigger 53 moves back and strikes the primary pivot pin 3| before the dentent 52 clears the teeth 42 sufiiciently to become disengaged therefrom. This feature is particularly advantageous to prevent unnecessary ejection of material, if the gun happens to be dropped in a manner tending to project the ratchet-bar forward.

Among the many advantages this type of gun has over the prior art devices; one advantage is, that the friction and wear of the automatic release sliding parts will not so quickly interfere with the proper operation of the apparatus; and another is, that the various expansion springs used in the device need not be in as fine a balance as is required otherwise.

It will now be clear that there is provided by this invention a calk gun which accomplishes the objects originally set forth. While the invention has been illustrated and described in two forms, it is to be understood that the embodiment of the invention as set forth is suggestive only and is not to be considered in a limiting sense. to be further understood that there may be other forms or adaptations of the invention and those modifications are also considered to be Within the broad scope of the invention as no limitations upon it are intended other than those imposed thereon by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A ratchet mechanism, comprising in combination, a handle member, an operating lever pivoted to the handle member, a ratchet-bar movable through the handle member, a pawl member mounted on the operating lever engageable with the ratchet-bar, a dog member mounted on the handle member engageable with the ratchet-bar, and a slotted arm on the lever member for disengaging the said dog member.

2. A ratchet mechanism, comprising in combination, a handle member, an operating lever pivoted to the handle member, a ratchet-bar movable through the handle member, a pawl member including a tension means pivoted on the operating lever engageable with the ratchetbar, a dog member pivoted on the handle member engageable with the ratchet-bar, and a slotted arm on the pawl member for disengaging the said dog member.

3. A ratchet mechanism, comprising in combination, a handle member, a trip pin mounted in the handle member, an operating lever pivoted to the handle member, a ratchet-bar movable through the handle member, a pawl member mounted on the operating lever engageable with the ratchet-bar, a trip finger integral with the pawl member actuated by the said trip pin for disengaging the said pawl member from the ratchet-bar, a dog member mounted on the handle member engageable with. the ratchet-bar, and an arm connected to the operating lever and mounted on the dog member for disengaging the dog member from the ratchet-bar simultaneously with the actuation of the said trip finger by the said trip pin.

4. A ratchet mechanism, comprising in combination, a handle member having a trip pin mounted therein, an operating lever pivoted to the handle member, a ratchet-bar movable through the handle member, a pawl member having a trip finger actuated by the said trip pin It is" engaging the said dog member from the saidratchet-bar.

5. A ratchet mechanism, comprising in combination, a handle member having a trip pin mounted therein, an operating lever pivoted to the handle member, a ratchet-bar movable through the handle member above the operating lever, a pawl member pivoted to the operating lever engageable with the said ratchet-bar, the said pawl member having a trip finger thereon actuated by the said trip pin, a dog member including a tension means pivoted to the handle member below the said ratchet-bar and engageable therewith, and an arm connected to the operating lever and mounted on the dog member for disengaging the dog member from the ratchet-bar simultaneously with the actuation of the said trip finger by the said trip pin.

6. A device of the type defined in claim 5 and fulrther characterized by having a tension means carried by the operating lever engaging the pawl member with the ratchet-bar.

7. A ratchet mechanism, comprising in combination, a handle member, an operating lever pivoted to the handle member, a ratchet-bar movable through the handle member, a pawl member pivoted to the operating lever engageable with the ratchetbar, a tension means carried by the operating lever engaging the pawl member with the ratchet-bar, a dog member pivoted to the handle member engageable with the ratchet-bar, and an arm member connected to the operating lever and mounted on the dog member for disengaging the said dog member from the said ratchet-bar.

8. A ratchet mechanism, comprising in combination, a handle member, an operating lever pivoted to the handle member, a ratchet-bar movable through the handle member, a pawl member pivoted to the operating lever engageable with the ratchet-bar, a tension means carried by the operating lever engaging the pawl member with the ratchet-bar, a dog member pivoted to the handle member engageable with the ratchet-bar, and a slotted arm member connected to the pawl member and mounted on the dog member for disengaging the said dog member from the said ratchet-bar.

9. A ratchet mechanism, comprising in combination, a handle member, an operating lever pivoted to the handle member, a ratchet-bar movable through the handle member, a pawl member mounted on the operating lever engageable with the ratchet-bar, a dog member pivoted on the handle member engageable with the ratchet-bar, the said dog member having a pin thereon, and an arm member having a slot therein connected to the operating lever and enpin thereon, and an arm member having a slot therein connected to the operating lever and engaged by the said pin for disengaging the said dog member 'fromthe said ratchet-bar.

11. A ratchet mechanism, comprising in combination, a handle member, an operating lever pivoted to the handle member, a ratchetebar movable through the handle member, a pawl member pivoted to the operating lever engageable with the ratchet-bar, a tension means car ried by the operating lever engaging the pawl member with the ratchet-bar, a dog member pivoted on the handle member engageable with the ratchet-bar, the said dog member having a pin thereon,v and an arm member having a slot therein engageable by the said dog member pin connected to the said pawl member and actuated thereby for disengaging the said dog member from the said ratchet-bar.

12. A ratchet mechanism, comprising in combination, a handle member having a trip pin mounted therein, an operating lever mounted on the handle member, a ratchet-bar movable through the handle member, a pawl member mounted on the operating lever engageable with the said ratchet-bar, the said pawl member having a trigger thereon actuated by the said trip pin, a dog member mounted on the handle mem ber engageable with the ratchet-bar, the said dog member having a pin thereon, and an arm member connected to the operating lever and actuating the said dog member, the said arm member having a slot therein engageable with the dog member pin in a manner causing the disengagement of the dog member from the ratchet-bar simultaneously with the actuation of the pawl member trigger by the said handle member trip pin.

113. Av device of; the class defined in claim 12 and further characterized. by having a tension means carried by the operating'leve'r engaging the pawlmember with the ratchet-bar.

14. In a ratchet mechanism of the type having a pawl and a dogengageable' with a serrated bar, a connecting link, consisting of, an arm having a means for pivotal engagement with the pawl at one end thereof, and a'slot at the opposite end thereof for engagement with the dog.

15. A ratchet mechanism, comprising in cornbination, a handle member, an operating lever pivoted to the handle member, a ratchet-bar movable through. the handle member, a pawl member mounted on the operating lever engageable with the ratchet-bar, a dog member mounted on the handle member engageable with the ratchet-bar, and ameans on the said lever member for disengaging the, dog member, the said dog member and the said means having a pin and slot connection.

16. In a ratchet mechanism of the type having a pawl and'a dog member engageable with a serrated bar, a connecting link member having one of its ends engageable with the, dog member, one

of the said members having a pin and the other of the said members having a slot to receive the said pin.

17. In a ratchet mechanism of the type having a pawl and a dog member engageable with aserrated bar and a pivotedlever for moving the, said 

